International community must call for an end to occupation of Palestine – Martina Anderson MEP

On their first full day in Palestine, Sinn Féin MEPs heard continued calls for a radical shift in how the international community acts when it comes to the plight of the Palestinian people.

Martina Anderson MEP said: “From our meetings with both peace organisations and Palestine Liberation Organization representatives what we heard was a clear call for the international community to realise that the negotiations are over. Israel enters into the negotiations but then carries out deadly military attacks and land grabs - a direct contradiction with the peace it claims to want to work towards. Rather than continuing their support for talks, world leaders should be loudly denouncing the Israeli occupation of Palestine for what it is, the deliberate and systematic extermination of Palestinians from their land, nothing short of social genocide.

“We listened to representatives from organisations of both former Israeli soldiers and Palestinian prisoners who are now coming together to work towards peace. This was hugely encouraging. These are the types of organisations that the EU should be supporting. We also met with renowned Haaretz journalist Amira Hass; it’s hugely important for her expertise and insight into the reality of life under occupation to be felt in Israeli society.”

The European delegation is meeting today with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency which provides aid to 5 million Palestinian refugees.